Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

Assistant coach Jessica Thornton has been named ULM's interim head softball coach, according to an announcement made Wednesday, Aug. 8 by Athletics Director Nick Floyd. Thornton, who came to ULM in 2016, assumes her new position effective immediately.

"Jessica Thornton will be the point of contact for our softball program, managing the day-to-day operations," Floyd said. "We're confident that Jessica's knowledge and commitment to the squad will provide the necessary leadership and stability for the program during this interim period. She has been actively involved in the recruitment and development of these student-athletes over the last three seasons."

Thornton picks up the reins after former head coach Corey Lyon resigned Tuesday to accept a position at Marshall.

Over the past three seasons, Thornton has instructed the outfielders and base runners, including all-star Rochelle Roberts. A four-time Sun Belt All-Conference player, Roberts became a Top-25 USA/ASA Player of the Year candidate in 2016 and graduated in 2018 after breaking ULM's all-time hits record (246) and signing off as one of the most successful base runners in program history.

Thornton also developed and implemented a pitch-calling system. In addition, she was responsible for organizing ULM softball operations, developing practice plans, overseeing all travel logistics, distributing team apparel, as well as coordinating all recruiting initiatives and camp operations.

A native of Vancouver, Washington, Thornton (formerly Guy) played two seasons as an outfielder at Mount Hood Community College where she earned NFCA All-America honors as a sophomore and Southern Region Player of the Year as a freshman. She led MHCC to a combined 69-18 record, a Southern region title, and back-to-back NWAC championships. Thornton was named the MHCC Female Athlete of the Year in 2011 and earned a Southern Region First-Team honor. She also earned NWAACC All-Academic honors as a sophomore.

Thornton then transferred to Jacksonville State where she finished her playing career as an outfielder and designated hitter. She appeared in 98 games for the Gamecocks and made 87 starts during her two-year JSU career. The Gamecocks won the 2013 Ohio Valley Championship, which gave them a berth to the 2013 NCAA regional tournament in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Jessica and her husband Cole celebrated the birth of their son, Colby, earlier this summer.